We really want our daughter on a competitive 04 team next year, and we don't know whether to stick it out at our current club or look elsewhere. I assume that half of each u12 team is 2004, and not every u11 team has strong enough 04s to fill in the gaps, so it seems like if everyone stays with their clubs, the team's are going to have a big drop off between the top players and the rest. We live in northern nj, so clubs like PDA are too far for us to consider. Any thoughts on teams in north nj that you'd expect would attract top 04s for next year?

Inflated rosters seem to be common at "good" clubs as the girls get older. Why would anyone agree to this? Our club packs 18 girls on a team (and has a B team with that many girls) and we have often said 18 girls is too many. I know why the clubs do it---for money even if they say it's to protect against injuries, but how would this benefit our daughters?

Great clubs but completely unaffordable for most players no matter how talented. And accepting financial assistance is embarrassing and not for most even if they need it. There will always be great players at lower cost options that are simply cut out of that environment based on cost.

2004 RUSH will be the team next season!! It will be the best of the best of South Jersey!!! Rush recruited the players! The team is set up to match their hot 2003 team! Just wait till the roster is posted!! Its a who's who of South Jersey!!! Players from Madrid, Xtreme, Barron's, PDA and a few others!!!! BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP..... SNOOZE BUTTON!

That actually could happen!!! Any of the major clubs could pull that, not just Rush! That seriously could happen and no one would know till its all over!!! Thats how crazy this age requirement has become. One team will come out as a powerhouse.

I have a couple degrees but i don't get this comment. Is it some sort of sarcasm or inside joke with yourself?

PDA Lyon is down a few girls at the PDA tournament but i'm pretty sure they are at the US Soccer YNT regional camp this weekend. You guys just make up funny stuff on here…The PDA and MFA hate is awesome here. Why?

Aztec dominates ECNL teams in their bracket and scores 10 goals then plays PDA Lyon and gets steam rolled 3-0 in PDA Tourney final. Lyon was supposedly down two of the best players at US Soccer camp and they don't give up a goal all weekend?

Seriously. Are they just that much better than everybody? What is their training like?

Thank you to the Lyon parent who posted at 1:16, 1:46, 2:20, 2:53, 6:15, 7:27 and 7:43 for updating everyone. Clearly you have spent a lot of time and effort. Luckily you have a lot of spare time on your hands. Some may even say "no life".

Yes- they decline offer. I know of one who was in talks with two clubs over price. I think she even tried to get both clubs in a bidding war for her kid. Lol. I don't think it worked. She finally chose one of them. I would assume a player would have to be something real special to receive a discount or free membership.

I have declined four offers (various sports) 2 of them the coach was understanding of the reason, professional and wished my daughter the best. The other two seemed annoyed. None was due to costly fees though.

Can't you call or email the club to inquire about fees before trying out? I'm sure they would give a round about cost or maybe last years base.

Real answers only please. How were the matchfit tryouts tonight for the 2004s? Was there a good turnout? My daughter has been to birth year sessions at a couple of clubs and we were not very impressed with the turnout in terms of talent or number of girls. We did not realize matchfit was out of denville or we would have considered that. Now I am wondering if I should try to contact the coach before they give out offers

so how does that work if you have 20 girls and can only dress 18. Is it the best 18 each week, meaning the bottom girls will likely sit often and the top girls never sit out? I have heard about there being big rosters at some clubs (usually ECNL clubs) and I do not understand why anyone would agree to this. It just seems like a very obvious way for the clubs to make more money at our expense.

check out u 14 blog, same discussion except at that age you are pay 7-8000 year and number 19 and20 are sitting http://youthsoccertalk.blogspot.com/2013/09/u12g-u12-girls-youth-soccer.html?commentPage=23

and fyi 26 is the roster limit, they will go there if enough players buy in

So with PF and PDA 1st tryouts already done ... how many girls from the outside were invited to play on the team? It's already known that PF was tying up the preECNL roster by 1st tryouts. Already heard PDA sent out offers to practice with the team as well. How hard is it for an outsider to get into one of these clubs without previous training with the team or ID sessions?

Anybody from the outside can get on the team - if they are good! PDA has talent from their B team and their U11 A team and even U11 B. Then there is PDA Shore with talent and PDA South too but its far. Coaches would much rather pull from other PDA teams to fill a roster - that is what development is all about!

All that said - if you can play, you will make it. I bet 1 or 2 outside girls(outside of Lyon, Zizzou, Strikers, Sounders, Shore and South) will make the team.

I cannot think of a reason, other than for clubs to tie up talent and raise $$, for having a roster with more than 16-18 players. There is only so much space on the practice field and playing time during games to go around. Am i missing something?

@7:42 I agree. I think 16 is more than enough on a roster because you want all of the players on the team to be equally as talented so there is no drop off when anyone is subbed in or out. It is hard enough to do with 16 but in my experience even then there is a difference between the top half of the team and the bottom couple of girls. While its "all about development" and not wins, it does not benefit the strongest players to train with weaker players. I wish everyone would just say no to bigger rosters because then clubs could not do it. If you have to show up at a game with only 11 or 12 girls every now and then, it should not matter since it isn't supposed to be about winning anyway and I would bet the girls who show up to play would be thrilled to play the entire game!

Sometimes the roster "grows" after you've accepted the offer. That has been our experience. Players (middle of the pack) being added during the new season which leads to sitting out games or diminished playing time. It is obviously about the money despite what the club claims but there is nothing to do about it until the next tryout season

That's funny - no PDA team has done Delco for years...Yet South Shore skipped PDA and Jeff Cup which they had done multiple times in recent years.

Lyon is a different team this season - I'm pretty sure that's been proven. # of Goals scored vs top competition is really over the top.

Lyon-South Shore would be a great game but it's SSS that skipped what they have done for years. This game probably Won't happen since several SSS girls are moving to a new ECNL club closest to them just added for next season.

SSS is a great team and the only team Lyon has not been able to beat. Close, but not good enough. Lyon will be the first to admit that SSS is a better team and would jump at a chance to play them again. The comments above are just some sore loser parents from other teams trying to stir the pot. Get a life. Better yet, go take your kid to extra training.

All the Lyon haters still trolling. Lyon's record speaks for itself. South Shore is a great team and would be a great match to watch. Would at least be competitive vs the beating South Shore dishes against other NJ teams.

Playing up in crappy 11 v11 brackets and flight 2 tournaments really seems to have prepare Lyon for the top U13 bracket this season not to mention the nation's best teams at U12. Or they are just really good at soccer, whatever.

Rush tryouts? Sunday morning when many are had games already scheduled. Would expect less than expected would attend.

Previously posted tidbit about Sonic, their trainer and Xtreme going to Rush, part of that is proving to be true. Sonic's trainer ran the Rush 04 tryout, assuming sonic players were there. That 2 out of 3. The last one is Xtreme merging with Sonic. Unless Xtreme already agreed to play for Barons. Were they at Rush's tryouts?

PDA 2003 team already confirming players. Not many spots left in the new u14 ecnl team left. I think at least 14 spots are confirmed. I can see them going as high as 20 - so probably six avaible positions still open.

10:08 Based on numbers it seems likely some of them will move up - many more 03s on current Lyon than 04s - I suspect they will just try to fill the spots with the best players they can find just like anyone else. Did Zizzou players go to the Tuesday call back?

@11:26 Rush tryouts this past Sunday were terrible. The Xtreme team Is moving to Rush. Well, that is, what will be left of their team. I heard from one of their parents that some are breaking off and going to the barons. I know there were quite a few at the SJEB tryouts. I heard they are also using the sonics trainer when they go to Rush and that is why he ran the tryout for them. Did not hear of any sonics move to rush. All I know is that Rush is getting desperate. I got the email from the coach about this Sunday's tryout. I'm sure they are disappointed with the poor turn out last week. I don't expect this Sunday to be any better. Hopefully, these girls attend more than just the Rush tryouts and consider other offers.....it doesn't look too promising!

@10:28 I think you have almost nailed it. Let's try using logic again and piecing together multiple posts, current sonic trainer wants to merge teams two teams and looks like sonic not so interested in moving to rush. Hows that for rainbows glitter and butterflies? lalalalala

TBAA Sonic will be having another open tryout tonight for '04s and strong '05s at Total Turf. It's rain (inside) or shine (outside). We are still looking for a top level goalie and other top field players. The session is from 7:15 to 8:30. Be there by 7:00 to sign up and warm up. The address for Total Turf is 614 Lambs Rd Pitman, NJ.

US Club State Cup 8-v-8 Quarters this weekend good luck to all teams. See Spartans beating Brick...Millville beating Matchfit...Bergen beating Wildcats and FC Berna beating FC Copa. However it unfolds congrats to all teams for getting this far.

if you are going to the tryout, its with the hope of making the Pre-ECNL team. Maybe you turn down a B-team offer because you live far or maybe your ego is bruised but I'd say with certainty - without my kid being one who was offered I'll admit - no kid or family turned down such an offer to the 2004 or to the 2003 team.

I agree why is pda the dominant talk I can't wait till other groups form let's talk about something else this year there are other clubs and fact several girls turned down offers b and a you losers.We are talking about 11 year Olds imagine if people had lives and jobs on her ouch

buyer beware moment - my daughter plays for ecnl club (not pda). coaches left over season. countless players left. two coaches are listed for five teams. Spent one month with only one practice per week - ecnl and npl. no games over winter and the list goes on. putting it out there bc we are sorry we stayed another year.

look deeply and don't buy in because of the four letters, make sure you get what you pay for.

How many of the Lyons made the new PDA u14 ECNL team? I heard most of the players have received offers. WCFC and MF have lost a few of their top 2003 players during this age change transition. Is tomorrow night the last tryout session? Thanks

I heard that Lyon team has 11 2003 age group players, I would expect maybe 5 make that u14 team. 10 will come from current PDA u13 teams, most of them from the A team, 2 or 3 from B and the south team. That only leaves about 3 or 4 spots from outsiders. I have seen a few girls from WC, MF and SDFC at the tryouts who look very solid. And yes, tomorrow is final tryout, a few girls have been going to Galaxy practices.

Has the coach for the new ecnl 14 team gone to any Lyons games? Has he ever watched any the the u12 teams play that have so many solid 03 players? I watch these tryouts and wonder how in the world can they pick from so many talented players, I'm sure many will be missed and move on to the second their ecnl clubs, but this probably happens at all age levels. Scary.

I bet you this team takes 20 players, maybe the last year they can take advantage of parents and kids before the DA starts to take the best away from them. PDA should wake up and compete now with the DA. Lower the cost and step up the training and play a few more games like other clubs. Mike O will have 24 on his 02 roster, thanks god I have an 03....

"How many PDA u13 are 03 girls? I'm sure the Lyons parent believe their kids are much stronger and will take the majority of starting spots. "

I would say it's the opposite. When you are at PDA you know all teams have top talent. Galaxy is in 1st place in pre-ECNL so most parents know its difficult to make any ECNL team at PDA, period.

That being said there is a player on galaxy who is an 04 and trying to stay up and even Galaxy parents know she would not be in the top 3 next year for Lyon. Besides that, I'm pretty sure it will be a fair evaluation where the coach wants to put together the best team possible.

Why does she have to be one the best on Lyon? The fact that she is playing up is great to begin with--if she is talented in her own birth year, than why shouldn't she be challenged? I guess this doesn't happen often and the fact that coaches at PDA see it fit for her to play up even next year speaks volumes. I'm sure not too many players at PDA do this or is it the norm? I say if she is good, than let her do it!

The poster in charge of rankings sounds like a bitter Lyons parent. I agree players should be challenged. If she is playing up and competing with Galaxy she must be talented and considered to be good ENOUGH.

And yes, this kid is a starter and has been at PDA since she was a baby. I know the child very well and she is a beast on the field playing against 13 year olds who have 30 lbs on her all day long. She is one of the faster on the team and two years younger than most. I would take her on my team all day long, including the new 02 team if we could. The Galaxy parents don't act like the Lyon parents and brag about their team and how they are the almighty coming of Christ. Not one parent I know of would think she should move down. They never say a word on their blog, even when they won last year stars and PDA and the Lyons lost both. Never a word. I watched this team(Lyons)play WC last year at stars and not very impressive. One of the reason you never played Galaxy is because your coach knew not to go there with speed of play. I don't envy the parents we are leaving behind to have to deal with the arrogance of this Lyon group. I'm sure it's one or two mommy or daddy, who is new to this game and has a huge awakening coming down the road. Please stop talking about an individual player and worry about your own problems. You people make all of us at PDA look horrible. I'm sure it will be very uncomfortable going to this new team knowing that you are trashing one of the players before you even join and or make the team. I can't wait to talk to parents tonight and the coach and let them know what they can look forward.

It's funny the one game you saw them play was a1-1 tie vs Stars 6 months ago. Conversely, the only against game I saw was the very recent shellacking by MFA. Great job representing New Jersey and great rant defending your daughter. Dad! I'll send this post over to the powers that be...

I'll give you a hint, it's a paranoid mother of an 03 child making all the fuss about Lyons. Been hearing it for the past two years. This should narrow It down for you. Just look for the overly obsessed mom, who is in everyone's business. You can always tell how a women writes.

The original poster calling out the fellow club player should be ashamed of themselves. No need to use a name, you were descriptive enough with her and should just chill out on this. What parent wouldn't be upset? If this is how Pda treats their team mates, then no thank you.

Nobody is getting bullied. Just stop! To bully is to use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. That's clearing not happening here. So stop with the bullying crap!

Youth Soccer Talk

We are a youth soccer blog and forum for parents, coaches and trainers to share information, questions and opinions.
Rules of Play:
No names, phone numbers, player IDs, profanity.
As with all youth sports, viewer discretion advised.